Trump Threatens 'Heavi Concession' If Putin Blocks Ukraine's Peace

JAKARTA - United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to provide "heavy consequences" if Russian President Vladimir Putin disagreed with peace in Ukraine.

However, he also said meetings between them could soon be followed by a second meeting that would involve Ukrainian leaders.

President Trump did not specify the possible consequences, but had warned of economic sanctions if his meeting with President Putin in Alaska on Friday yielded no results.

President Trump's comments and the results of a virtual conference with Trump, European leaders, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held on Wednesday could provide encouragement to Kyiv, after fears the Alaskan summit could end by betrayed Ukraine by dividing its territory.

However, Russia is likely to reject Ukraine and Europe's demands emphatically, having previously said its stance had not changed since it was first explained by President Putin in June 2024.

When asked if Russia would face any consequences if President Putin disagreed to stop the war after Friday's meeting, President Trump replied: "Yes, will," quoted by Reuters on Aug. 14.

When asked whether the consequences were sanctions or tariffs, President Trump told reporters: "I don't need to say it. There will be very heavy consequences."

However, President Trump also described the purpose of meeting the two leaders in Alaska as "setting a table" for a quick follow-up that would involve President Zelensky.

"If the first one goes smoothly, we will hold a second meeting soon," Trump said.

"I want to do it immediately, and we will hold a quick second meeting between President Putin, President Zelensky and myself, if they allow me to attend," he continued.

President Trump did not provide a timeframe for the second meeting.

President Trump and President Putin are scheduled to discuss ways to end the conflict that has been going on for three and a half years, the biggest conflict in Europe since World War Two.

President Trump's agreement last week for a meeting with President Putin was a sudden change after weeks of voicing his frustration at Putin for rejecting US peace initiatives.

President Trump said the special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had made a "big progress" in negotiations in Moscow with President Putin before.